WATCH: Kajieme Powell Shooting Death Scene in North St. Louis

Kajieme Powell, 25, was shot and killed by St. Louis police on Tuesday after allegedly robbing a grocery store with a knife. The killing took place about 4 miles from where Michael Brown was shot dead.

A convenience store owner called 911 on Tuesday when he suspected Powell stole drinks and donuts from his shop, according to a recording of the call. Another woman called to report Powell was acting erratically and had a knife in his pocket.

The police reported that they shot Powell after the suspect came at them with an overhand-gripped knife.

They then released this cell phone footage, which some say casts doubt on the police’s official story.

The video shows that police told Powell to remove his hand from his pocket, which he did. Police said Powell held a knife in his hand, though it is unclear from the video if Powell actually brandished the knife at the officers. The owner of the convenience store from which Powell allegedly shoplifted told police he had a weapon, a claim corroborated by the owner of a nearby barber shop who called 911 about Powell, according to 911 calls obtained by St. Louis Public Radio.

Sam Princecovers social media trends and breaking news for Heavy. He also writes for the South China Morning Post. He is a New York City-based actor and singer who tours internationally with a Four Seasons tribute band and has appeared on various television shows and Broadway. Email him at sam@heavy.com and find him on Twitter @thesamprince. August 21, 2014 10:08 am

1 comment

Plus he deliberately turned toward them and if he made a move he was within 1 second of reaching either one with the knife and kevlar doesn’t stop a blade. I’d have done exactly the same thing. Emptied the whole magazine. The commentary was irritating. He THINKS they could’ve tased him. I’ve seen tasers not work on thick sweaters or crazy angry people.